JP3871524B2 - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coordinate input device using ultrasonic waves for specifying a position on a screen or inputting a locus such as a handwritten character or a figure in a computer system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Coordinate input devices for specifying the position on the computer screen and inputting the locus of handwritten characters and figures have been proposed using various principles. Among them, the coordinate input device using ultrasonic waves generates ultrasonic waves from the input pen, receives the ultrasonic waves by multiple receivers, and calculates the ultrasonic propagation time and ultrasonic velocity required from the input pens to the receivers. The distance between a plurality of receivers and the input pen is obtained, and the coordinates of the input pen are calculated and input to the computer.
[0003]
Such a coordinate input device using ultrasonic waves does not require a special configuration on the input surface like a resistive film type or electromagnetic induction type touch panel, and has various types such as a computer display screen, paper on a desk, and a blackboard. Coordinates can be input from a simple input surface.
[0004]
The proposed ultrasonic coordinate input device is provided with at least two receivers on the input surface, and receives two ultrasonic waves transmitted from the input pen in the input surface in synchronization with a certain synchronization signal. The coordinates in the input plane are obtained from each distance. Therefore, it is necessary to provide two receivers on each input surface.
[0005]
Further, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-179684 (published July 11, 1997), three ultrasonic receivers are provided in common to detect the coordinate value in the three-dimensional space of the input pen. , Inputting coordinates from a plurality of input surfaces is distinguished from each other. This ultrasonic coordinate input device enables coordinate input from an arbitrary input surface.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described coordinate input apparatus using ultrasonic waves requires three ultrasonic receivers in order to allow input from a plurality of input surfaces located in the three-dimensional space. In the above conventional example, in order to enable coordinate input from any input surface, it is necessary to provide three ultrasonic receivers and a receiving circuit for detecting the propagation time of each received wave, resulting in an increase in cost. It is.
[0007]
As a result of the study by the present inventor, there are not necessarily many requests for coordinate input from any input surface. If coordinates can be input from an input surface determined to some extent, such as an existing blackboard, an existing desk, or a computer display screen, It turns out that the demand can be fully met.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate input device that enables coordinate input from a plurality of input surfaces using only two ultrasonic receivers.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides an input device having an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic device that is arranged in a direction not orthogonal to the plurality of input surfaces and is transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter. Position relationship between two ultrasonic receivers for receiving sound waves, synchronization means for synchronizing the input device and the ultrasonic receiver, and the two ultrasonic receivers and the plurality of input surfaces And an input surface setting unit for setting the distance between the input device and the two ultrasonic receivers according to the propagation time of the ultrasonic signals received by the two ultrasonic receivers from the input device. The coordinate input device includes an input coordinate generation unit that generates and generates input coordinates of the set input surfaces according to the two distances.
[0010]
According to the above invention, two ultrasonic receivers are provided in common on a plurality of input surfaces, and further, the plurality of input surfaces are limited to surfaces that are not orthogonal to a line connecting the two ultrasonic receivers. Thus, it is possible to provide a coordinate input device that can withstand practical use. When the line connecting the two ultrasonic receivers and the input plane are orthogonal, there are multiple distances from the input device to the two ultrasonic receivers in the input plane. It is because it becomes impossible to specify.
[0011]
Further, in the above invention, in order to obtain the coordinates of the input device in the input surface by the two ultrasonic receivers, the positional relationship between the two ultrasonic receivers and the plurality of input surfaces is initially set in advance. To do. If this positional relationship is set in advance, the positions of the input devices in a plurality of input planes can be obtained from the distances from the input devices to the two ultrasonic receivers.
[0012]
In the preferred embodiment, such a setting is made as an initial value setting prior to using the coordinate input device and is recorded as a setting value in the memory of the computer. For example, a three-dimensional coordinate having the input surface as a two-dimensional coordinate plane and a third coordinate axis in the direction perpendicular to the input surface is set, and the coordinate values of two ultrasonic receivers in the three-dimensional coordinate system are set as the input surface. Initialize each time. By setting the coordinate values of the two ultrasonic receivers in the three-dimensional coordinate system of each input surface, the coordinate values of the input devices in the subsequent input surface are the input device and the two ultrasonic receivers. It is calculated from the distance between.
[0013]
In the preferred embodiment, the positions of the plurality of input surfaces are set such that the distance between the two ultrasonic receivers and the input surface is different between the plurality of input surfaces. Then, by initializing the range of the input surface in each three-dimensional coordinate system, it is possible to check which input surface by checking whether the coordinate value of the input device is within the range of the default input surface. It is possible to detect whether the coordinate input from.
[0014]
In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention provides a coordinate input device that enables coordinate input from a plurality of input surfaces.
An input device having an ultrasonic transmitter;
Two ultrasonic receivers arranged side by side in a direction not orthogonal to the plurality of input surfaces and receiving ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter;
Synchronization means for synchronizing between the input device and the ultrasonic receiver;
An input surface setting unit for setting a positional relationship between the two ultrasonic receivers and the plurality of input surfaces;
According to the propagation time of the ultrasonic signals received by the two ultrasonic receivers from the input device, respective distances from the input device to the two ultrasonic receivers are generated, and the two distances are generated. And an input coordinate generation unit that generates input coordinates in the plurality of input planes set according to the above.
[0015]
In the above invention, in a more preferred embodiment, the input surface setting unit takes a two-dimensional coordinate (X, Y) on the input surface and a third coordinate axis (Z) in a direction perpendicular to the input surface. Set the coordinate values of the two ultrasonic receivers in the three-dimensional coordinate system for each of the plurality of input surfaces,
The input coordinate generation unit generates coordinate values of the input device in the three-dimensional coordinate system according to the two distances.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between two ultrasonic receivers and a plurality of input surfaces in the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a notebook personal computer 1 having a display screen 2 and a mouse 3 connected thereto. When the input device 4 is moved on the plurality of input surfaces S1, S2, and S3 with respect to the computer 1, the coordinates in the respective input surfaces are input to the computer 1, and the desired display screen 2 of the computer is displayed. Can be input and the locus of the input device 4 can be displayed.
[0018]
The coordinate input apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an input device 4 having an ultrasonic transmitter and two ultrasonic receivers R1, R1 which are attached to a predetermined location and receive ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter. And R2. The input device 4 may be provided with an ultrasonic transmitter, but for example, a pen-type input device described later is preferable.
[0019]
Furthermore, a synchronization means is provided in order to specify the timing at which the ultrasonic signal is transmitted. For example, infrared rays are transmitted from the input device 4, and the synchronization timing is detected by a light receiving element (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the receivers R1 and R2.
[0020]
The ultrasonic signals transmitted from the input device 4 are received by the receivers R1 and R2, and the distances La and Lb from the input device 4 to the respective receivers R1 and R2 are obtained from the time difference from the synchronization means. The position in the input surface of the input device 4 is detected from the distances La and Lb.
[0021]
In this embodiment, two ultrasonic receivers are used to enable coordinate input from a plurality of input surfaces arranged in a three-dimensional space. In principle, three ultrasonic receivers are required to detect the position of the input device in the three-dimensional space. In this embodiment, in order to reduce costs, a certain restriction is applied to the position of the input surface so that the positions in the plurality of input surfaces can be detected by two ultrasonic receivers.
[0022]
Such a certain limitation is to prevent the line connecting the two ultrasonic receivers from being orthogonal to the input surface. It is preferable that both have a relationship as far as possible from 90 degrees. If the line connecting the two ultrasonic receivers and the input plane are orthogonal, the position in the input plane is not uniquely determined from the combination of the distance between the input device in the input plane and the two ultrasonic receivers. Because. Furthermore, a certain limitation is that the positional relationship between the plurality of input surfaces and the two ultrasonic receivers is set in advance. For example, the coordinate values of two ultrasonic receivers in the three-dimensional coordinate system set on the input surface are initialized. Or in another example, the length of the perpendicular drawn from the ultrasonic receiver to the input surface is preset. Alternatively, the position of the input surface in the coordinate system with the ultrasonic receiver as the origin is initialized. With this initial setting value, the coordinates of the input device in the input surface have two unknowns, and even the two ultrasonic receivers can detect the coordinate values.
[0023]
The initial setting of the positional relationship between the plurality of input surfaces S1, S2, S3 and the two ultrasonic receivers R1, R2 will be described. The method of setting the positional relationship between the two is as follows: (1) A three-dimensional coordinate system is set for each input surface, with the input surface being a two-dimensional coordinate surface, and the ultrasonic receivers R1, R2 in the three-dimensional coordinate system. (2) A three-dimensional coordinate system is set for the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2, and coordinate values and inclinations of a plurality of input surfaces in the three-dimensional coordinate system are considered. It is done. Of course, an arbitrary three-dimensional coordinate system may be set, and the positions of the ultrasonic receiver and the input surface may be set therein.
[0024]
In this embodiment, the positional relationship between the two is set by the above method (1). First, with respect to the input surface S1, the X1 and Y1 axes are set on the input surface S1, and the Z1 axis is set in a direction perpendicular to the input surface S1, and ultrasonic input in this three-dimensional coordinate system X1-Y1-Z1 is performed. The coordinate values of the devices R1 and R2 are initialized.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method for setting the positional relationship between the input surface and the ultrasonic receiver. As described above, the three-dimensional coordinate system X1-Y1-Z1 is set for the input surface S1. This is performed, for example, by the operator entering the coordinate axes of X1 and Y1 on the input surface. Then, three known points in the two-dimensional coordinates of X1, Y1, for example, the origin P10 (0,0,0), the point P11 on the X1 axis (x11,0,0), and the point P12 (0 on the Y1 axis , y11,0) from the input device, and as shown in the figure, the distances La10, Lb10, La11, Lb11, La12, respectively, between the points P10, P11, P12 and the ultrasonic receivers R1, R2, Find Lb12.
[0026]
Therefore, if the unknown coordinate values of the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 are R1 (xa1, ya1, za1) and R2 (xb1, yb1, zb1),
For distances La10 and Lb10 between point P10 and receivers R1 and R2,
xa1²+ Ya1²+ Za1²= La10²            (1)
xb1²+ Yb1²+ Zb1²= Lb10²            (2)
For distances La11 and Lb11 between point P11 and receivers R1 and R2,
(X11−xa1)²+ Ya1²+ Za1²= La11²            (3)
(X11−xb1)²+ Yb1²+ Zb1²= Lb11²            (4)
For distances La12 and Lb12 between point P12 and receivers R1 and R2,
xa1²+ (Y11−ya1)²+ Za1²= La12²            (5)
xb1²+ (Y11-yb1)²+ Zb1²= Lb12²            (6)
Thus, six unknowns, R1 (xa1, ya1, za1) and R2 (xb1, yb1, zb1) can be solved from the six simultaneous equations (1) to (6).
[0027]
The relationship between the input surfaces S2 and S3 in FIG. 1 and the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 can be similarly determined. And the coordinate value of the ultrasonic receiver with respect to each input surface is set as an initial value, and is memorize | stored by the coordinate input control part mentioned later.
[0028]
Returning to FIG. 1, the coordinate values of the ultrasonic receiver in the coordinate system of each input plane
R1 (xa1, ya1, za1), R2 (xb1, yb1, zb1)
R1 (xa2, ya2, za2), R2 (xb2, yb2, zb2)
R1 (xa3, ya3, za3), R2 (xb3, yb3, zb3)
When the input device transmits an ultrasonic wave from an arbitrary position P1 (x1, y1,0) on the input surface S1 and performs coordinate input in a state where is initially set, two ultrasonic receivers R1, R2 Distances La1 and Lb1 are detected. As a result, the following equation holds.
[0029]
(X1−xa1)²+ (Y1-ya1)²+ Za1²= La1²(7)
(X1−xb1)²+ (Y1-yb1)²+ Zb1²= Lb1²(8)
By solving this simultaneous equation, the input coordinate value P1 (x1, y1,0) is obtained. Input coordinates on the input surfaces S2 and S3 can be obtained in the same manner.
[0030]
In this embodiment, the distance between the input surface and the ultrasonic receiver is set within a range that does not overlap each other so that the coordinate value can be automatically detected from any input surface. , Limit the position of each input surface. That is, at the initial setting stage, the area range of the input surface is set by the input device.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 2, in the initial setting, coordinate input is performed by the input device from the input point P13 having the minimum X and Y coordinates and the input point P14 having the maximum. As described above, the coordinate value (x13, y13,0) of the point P13 is obtained by transmitting ultrasonic waves from the point P13, and the coordinate value of the point P14 (x14, y14,0) is similarly transmitted by transmitting ultrasonic waves from the point P14. Is required. By initializing these two coordinate values, when the input coordinate values (x1, y1,0) on the input surface S1 are obtained, the coordinates from the input surface S1 are satisfied when the following relationship is satisfied. It can be determined that the input.
[0032]
x13 <x1 <x14 (9)
y13 <y1 <y14 (10)
In order to use the above determination method, the position of each input surface is limited so that the distance between the input surface and the ultrasonic receiver does not overlap each other. That is, the regions S2 ′ and S3 ′ obtained by rotating the input surfaces S2 and S3 about the line connecting the two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 and projecting them on the X1-Y1 two-dimensional coordinate surface of the input surface S1 are obtained. , The area of the input surface S1 is limited.
[0033]
By doing so, it is possible to determine that the coordinate input is from the input surface S1 when the coordinates (9) and (10) are satisfied when the coordinate input from any input surface is performed. . When the projected areas S2 'and S3' overlap with the area of the input surface S1, even if the above (9) and (10) are satisfied, there is a possibility of input from the input surfaces S2 and S3. Therefore, it is preferable that when the minimum and maximum coordinate values of the coordinate values of each input surface are input at the initial setting stage, the overlapping of the above areas is determined, and if they overlap, some warning is output. Even if the input range is not a rectangle, it can be considered in the same way as a set of rectangles. However, if the coordinate input device is given the input surface from which the input surface is input each time the coordinate input from the input device is performed, it is not necessary to prohibit the overlapping of the above-described areas.
[0034]
As described above, the initial settings of the present embodiment can be summarized as follows: two ultrasonic receivers are installed at predetermined positions, and a plurality of input surfaces are installed in directions not orthogonal to the line connecting them. Then, the operator transmits ultrasonic waves from three known points from each input surface by the input device, and the coordinate values of the two ultrasonic receivers in the three-dimensional coordinate system of the input surface are obtained and initialized. . Next, the minimum and maximum coordinates of the coordinates on each input surface are input, and the input surface area is initialized. At this time, an alarm is output as appropriate so that the areas do not overlap, and the operator changes the position of the input surface in response thereto. After the above initial setting is completed, the operator inputs coordinates on each input surface. The coordinate input device obtains two-dimensional coordinates of the input surface from the distance between the input device and the two ultrasonic receivers. Then, it is checked whether or not the obtained two-dimensional coordinate value is in the area range of the input surface that is initially set, and the input surface is automatically determined.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a simplified input surface in the present embodiment. In this example, the input surfaces S1 and S2 are installed on two walls (vertical surfaces) in the room, and the input surface S3 is installed on one desk (horizontal plane). Since the two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 are prohibited from being perpendicular to any of the input surfaces S1, S2 and S3, the receivers R1 and R2 in the example of FIG. , And are arranged on the first input surface S1 so as to be aligned at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the vertical line. The position within the input surface can be detected with higher accuracy as the angle between the line connecting the receiver and the input surface is more than 90 degrees.
[0036]
Further, for easy understanding, the three-dimensional coordinates X1, Y1, Z1 of the input surface S1 are set so that the receiver R1 is the origin and the input surface S1 is the X1, Y1 axis, and the input surface S2 is cubic. The original coordinates X2, Y2, and Z2 are set so that the point perpendicular to the input surface S2 from the receiver R1 is the origin and the input surface S2 is the X2 and Y2 axes, and the three-dimensional coordinates X3 of the input surface S3. , Y3, Z3 are set so that the point at which a perpendicular is drawn from the receiver R1 to the input surface S3 is the origin and the input surface S2 is the X3, Y3 axis. Each Z-axis is perpendicular to the input surface.
[0037]
When the three-dimensional coordinate axis of each input surface is set in this way, the coordinate values of the receivers R1, R2 in the three-dimensional coordinates X1, Y1, Z1 of the input surface S1 are
R1 (0, 0, 0), R2 (e, -e, 0)
become. If the length of the perpendicular from the receiver R1 to the second input surface S2 is g, the coordinate values of the receivers R1, R2 in the three-dimensional coordinates X2, Y2, Z2 of the input surface S2 are
R1 (0, 0, -g), R2 (0, -e, -ge)
become. Further, assuming that the length of the perpendicular line from the receiver R1 to the third input surface S3 is h, the coordinate values of the receivers R1, R2 in the three-dimensional coordinates X3, Y3, Z3 of the input surface S3 are
R1 (0,0, h), R2 (e, 0, he)
become. The coordinate values of the receiver indicating these positional relationships are recorded as initial values.
[0038]
As described with reference to FIG. 2, the coordinate values of the above receiver are obtained by transmitting ultrasonic waves from three known points in each input surface. Alternatively, if the lengths e, g, and h are known in advance, it is possible to directly input coordinate values.
[0039]
The input coordinates P1 (x1, y1,0) in the first input surface S1 are the above-mentioned (7) and (8) when the distance to the two ultrasonic receivers R1, R2 is La1, Lb1. Like the formula,
x1²+ Y1²= La1²
(X1-e)²+ (Y1 + e)²= Lb1²
Thus, the input coordinates P1 (x1, y1,0) can be obtained by solving the simultaneous equations.
[0040]
Similarly, the input coordinates P2 (x2, y2, 0) in the second input surface S2 are the above-mentioned (7) (8) when the distance to the two ultrasonic receivers R1, R2 is La2, Lb2. Like the formula
x2²+ Y2²+ G²= La2²
x2²+ (Y2 + e)²+ (G + e)²= Lb2²
The input coordinates P2 (x2, y2, 0) can be obtained by solving these simultaneous equations.
[0041]
Similarly, the input coordinates P3 (x3, y3, 0) in the third input surface S3 are the above-mentioned (7) (8) assuming that the distance to the two ultrasonic receivers R1, R2 is La3, Lb3. Like the formula
x3²+ Y3²+ H²= La3²
(X3-e)²+ Y3²+ (He)²= Lb3²
By solving this simultaneous equation, the input coordinate P3 (x3, y3, 0) is obtained.
[0042]
In the case of the example of FIG. 3 also, the surfaces S2 ′ and S3 ′ (not shown) projected on the input surface S1 by rotating the input surfaces S2 and S3 around the region of the input surface S1 and the straight line R1-R2. ), Each input surface is set so that it does not overlap with each other, so that it is possible to automatically recognize from which input surface the coordinate input is.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device 4. The input device shown in FIG. 4A is a pen configuration input device. A ballpoint pen core 16 that can be inserted into and removed from the pen tip is provided in the pen, and a pressure-sensitive switch 19 is provided for detecting contact between the ballpoint pen core 16 and the writing surface during writing. A cylindrical ultrasonic transmitter 17 and an infrared LED 18 are further provided at the tip of the pen. The cylindrical ultrasonic transmitter 17 is made of, for example, a cylindrical piezoelectric film made of polyvinylidene fluoride, and has a cylindrical shape. Therefore, the cylindrical ultrasonic transmitter 17 can have a directivity of 360 degrees. Can be transmitted in the same way in all directions to reach the ultrasonic receiver. Two infrared LEDs 18 having a directivity of 180 degrees are arranged on a diagonal line, and infrared rays reach the photodetector PD (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the receiver in the same manner even when the pen rotates. Furthermore, a drive circuit 20, a rechargeable battery 21, an electrode that can contact the holder side electrode when it is in a holder (not shown) of the computer and charge the rechargeable battery, and a signal that generates ultrasonic waves when it is in the holder are sent from the computer. It has electrodes to transmit signals. The holder will be described later.
[0044]
FIG. 4B shows an internal block diagram of a pen-type input device. When contact is detected by the contact detection switch 19 that detects contact between the ballpoint pen lead 16 and the writing surface, or contact between the pen tip and the writing surface when the lead to be described later is inside, the timer 23 generates the contact. The LED drive circuit 24 and the ultrasonic drive circuit 25 are activated at regular intervals, and infrared rays are sent from the infrared LED 18 and ultrasonic pulses are sent from the ultrasonic transmitter 17. This sending cycle is a time that allows the movement of the pen by a human hand to be detected stably, and is set to a frequency of about 100 Hz, for example. Furthermore, as will be described later, an ultrasonic pulse can be generated by a signal from the computer side via the holder contact electrode 22.
[0045]
The infrared LED 18 and the infrared receiver PD provided in the vicinity of the ultrasonic receiver constitute an ultrasonic transmission synchronization means. The time difference between the time of receiving infrared rays and the time of receiving ultrasonic waves corresponds to the ultrasonic wave propagation time between the pen-type input device and the ultrasonic wave receiver.
[0046]
FIG. 5 is a view showing a ballpoint pen lead-in / out mechanism of the pen-type input device. By sliding a switching lever 27 provided on the side of the pen, the ball-point pen core 16 can be taken in and out of the pen tip. The contact detection switches 19 and 26 are attached to the base of the ballpoint pen core and the pen tip. In the state (a) where the lead 16 is protruding, contact between the lead and the writing surface is detected by a switch 19 at the base of the lead. In the state (b) in which the lead is inserted, the switch 26 detects the contact between the pen tip and the writing surface. On the input surface where the actual drawing can be drawn with the ballpoint pen core, the ballpoint pen core protrudes from the tip, and on the input surface where the drawing cannot be performed, the surface becomes dirty, and the core is inserted inside.
[0047]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic receiving unit built in the computer or disposed integrally with the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2. FIG. 7 is a timing chart in the ultrasonic receiving unit. The ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 detect the ultrasonic pulses SA1 and SA2 from the pen-type input device, and the infrared light receiving element PD detects the infrared pulse IR. The ultrasonic pulses SA1 and SA2 from the pen-type input device are amplified by the input amplifier 32 after being detected by the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2.
[0048]
The received ultrasonic wave has a waveform as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is detected by the comparator 33 whether or not it is larger than the appropriate threshold value rt1, and the flip-flop 34 is turned on at a timing when the received wave exceeds the threshold value rt1. Further, the zero cross of the received wave is detected by the zero cross comparator 35, and the next zero cross position where the received wave exceeds the threshold rt1 is detected by the logical product 36 of the output of the flip-flop 34 and the zero cross comparator 35. This time is the arrival time of the ultrasonic pulse. Therefore, the ultrasonic wave propagation time T1 from the reception time of the infrared synchronization signal IR to the arrival of the ultrasonic pulse is detected by the timer 37. Similarly, the propagation time T2 is detected for the receiver R2.
[0049]
These propagation times T1 and T2 are supplied to a coordinate input control unit 40 described later. And the coordinate input control part 40 calculates | requires an input coordinate from ultrasonic propagation time T1, T2.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the coordinate input control unit. The coordinate input control unit 40 includes an input coordinate generation unit 42 that generates input coordinates on the input surface from the ultrasonic propagation times T1 and T2 generated by the reception unit 30, and an input coordinate generated by the input coordinate generation unit 42. Display control unit 44 and input surface setting unit 41 that inputs and records initial setting values at the time of initial setting of the input surface.
[0051]
Returning to FIG. 3, the initial setting of the coordinate input device will be described again. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of initial setting of the input surface, and FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of input surface setting data set thereby.
[0052]
First, the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 are installed at positions where the line connecting the two is not orthogonal to the surfaces S1, S2, and S3 that the user wants to use as the input surface. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the line connecting the two is installed on the wall (the same surface) provided with the input surface S1 in a state where the line is inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal line (S11). Further, for each input surface, a three-dimensional coordinate system having XY coordinates on the input surface and a Z axis perpendicular to the input surface is set. When the ultrasonic wave IR is transmitted from the known three points in the input surface by the input device, the receiving unit 30 obtains the propagation times T1 and T2, and the input surface setting unit 41, as described above, The coordinate values of the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 in the three-dimensional coordinate system are obtained and stored in the memory 43 (S12). The three known points are set in advance as, for example, the origin and predetermined points on the X and Y axes.
[0053]
In the example of FIG. 3, for the coordinate system X1-Y1-Z1 of the input surface S1,
R1 (0, 0, 0), R2 (e, -e, 0) are set,
For the coordinate system X2-Y2-Z2 of the second input surface S2,
R1 (0, 0, -g), R2 (0, -e, -ge) are set,
For the coordinate system X3-Y3-Z3 of the third input surface S3,
R1 (0,0, h) and R2 (e, 0, he) are set.
[0054]
Next, when an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the minimum point and the maximum point of the coordinates in each input surface by the input device, the input coordinate generation unit 42 obtains the coordinate values of both points, and the obtained coordinate values are used for each input surface. Is stored in the memory 43 as a range (S13).
[0055]
In the first input surface S1, the coordinate values of the point P13 (x13, y13) and the point P14 (x14, y14) are stored, and in the second input surface S2, the point P23 (x23, y23) and the point P24 (x24 , y24) is stored, and on the third input surface S3, a point P33 (x33, y33) and a point P34 (x34, y34) are stored. These points may be entered from the keyboard if known.
[0056]
In this case, as described above, it is confirmed that the areas of the input surface do not overlap each other based on the distance relationship between the two ultrasonic receivers. When overlapping is detected, the operator is notified of the movement of the input surface.
[0057]
The last of the initial value setting is the setting of conversion parameters for each input surface and the display screen of the computer 1 (S14). It is expected that the rotation component, the offset component, and the scale component are different between the input surface and the computer display screen 2. Therefore, by obtaining these parameters in advance, the coordinate value of the input surface can be converted into the coordinate value in the display screen 2 of the computer.
[0058]
In order to obtain this conversion parameter, for example, correspondence between three known points on the input surface and three known points on the display screen of the computer may be taken. For example, the input coordinate position is moved to three known points in the display screen 2 of the computer, and coordinate input is performed at each position. By transmitting ultrasonic waves from the input device, two-dimensional coordinate values on each input surface are obtained. Then, from the relationship between the coordinate values on both sides, a conversion formula from the coordinates (x1, y1) on the input surface to the coordinate values (xd, yd) in the display screen 2 is obtained as follows.
[0059]
xd = a1 · x1 + b1 · y1 + x01
yd = c1 · x1 + d1 · y1 + y02
In this case, a1, b1, c1, and d1 are rotation parameters and scale parameters between the two coordinate systems, and x01 and y01 are offset parameters. These parameter values are also stored as initial values for each input surface. If the three known points used in step S12 are used, the ultrasonic wave does not have to be retransmitted, which makes it easier.
[0060]
As described above, the input surface setting unit 41 sets and stores initial values for each input surface as shown in FIG.
[0061]
Thereafter, when coordinate input is performed by the input device 4 from each input surface, the receiving unit 30 obtains ultrasonic propagation times T1, T2 from the infrared synchronization signal and the ultrasonic wave from the input device 4, and the input coordinate generating unit 42 However, the two-dimensional coordinates on each input surface are calculated from the propagation times T1 and T2, and the coordinate value of each input surface is compared with the range of each input surface to detect which input surface the coordinate input is from. Then, the two-dimensional coordinates on the input surface are converted into the two-dimensional coordinates in the display screen of the computer by the above conversion formula. The obtained two-dimensional coordinate value is given to the display control unit 44. For example, the display control unit 44 performs a predetermined display at a position corresponding to the two-dimensional coordinate value in the frame memory. The state is displayed on the display unit 45.
[0062]
Next, a case where the present embodiment is applied to a notebook personal computer will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the notebook computer 1 and the input surface. The input surfaces in this example are the display surface S1 of the notebook personal computer 1, the upper surface S2 of the housing in front of the keyboard, and the surface S3 of the desk on which the housing is placed. When writing is performed on the display surface S1 by the pen-type input device 4, the position of the input device 4 is detected and reflected on the display. That is, it becomes the same as the so-called touch panel system. When writing is performed by the input device 4 on the housing upper surface S2, the position on the housing upper surface S2 is detected and reflected on the display. Therefore, it performs the same function as a tablet built in the top of the housing. Furthermore, the tip of the pen has a ballpoint pen core that can be taken in and out, and the position is detected when writing on the paper placed on the desk with the ballpoint pen. As a result, the same characters or images that are written on paper can be input to the computer.
[0063]
The two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 are arranged at the left and right ends of the upper side of the display S1, and an infrared receiver (photodiode PD) is arranged at the center of the upper side. A pen holder 46 is provided on the upper surface of the input surface S2 and is placed in the pen holder when the pen 4 is not used. When placed in the pen holder, the rechargeable battery in the pen is charged from the personal computer 1. Further, when the input pen 4 is placed on the pen holder 46, an ultrasonic wave can be transmitted by a command from the personal computer 1 via the holder contact electrode. As will be described later, it is possible to automatically detect the tilt angle of the display of the notebook personal computer by transmitting ultrasonic waves from a known position of the input surface S2 to obtain the distances to the receivers R1 and R2.
[0064]
Since the position on the input surface S1 of the display is a two-dimensional coordinate, it can be obtained by two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2. On the other hand, the input surfaces S2 and S3, which are different from the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2, have their respective three-dimensional coordinate systems set by default, and the coordinate values of the receivers R1 and R2 in the respective coordinate systems are obtained. . Furthermore, in the initial setting, the ranges of the input surfaces S1, S2, and S3 are also set, and the coordinate conversion parameters for these input surfaces and the display screen are also set. When the initial setting is completed, the coordinate input can be performed from any of the input surfaces S1, S2, and S3 by the pen-type input device 4.
[0065]
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining detection of the position of the input device on the input surface. FIG. 12A shows a case where the input device 4 is located at a point P1 on the input surface S1 of the display. When the ultrasonic propagation times T1 and T2 from the input device to the receivers R1 and R2 are detected, and the ultrasonic velocity V, the distances La1 and Lb1 are the product of the propagation times T1 and T2 and the velocity V, respectively. Is required. When the display is an input surface, it is not necessary to specify a three-dimensional coordinate system, and only two-dimensional coordinates can be considered.
[0066]
Assuming that the position of the receiver R1 is the origin of the two-dimensional coordinates X1-Y1, if the width of the display surface S1 is W, the coordinates of the receiver R2 are (W, 0). Therefore, the point P1 (x1, y1) on the input surface S1 is
x1²+ Y1² = La1²
(x1−W)² + Y1² = Lb1²
Is solved for x1 and y1, the coordinate values x1 and y1 of the point P1 are obtained as follows.
[0067]
x1 = (La1²− Lb1² + W²) / 2W (11)
y1 = − (La1²−x1²)^1/2                           (12)
Here, when the vertical length of the input surface S1 is D1, it is found that the input pen 4 is on the first input surface S1 when 0 <x1 <W and −D1 <y1 <0.
[0068]
Next, the case where the input pen is at the point P2 on the second input surface S2 will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the three-dimensional coordinate system X2-Y2-Z2 of the input surface S2 uses the point where the perpendicular is drawn from the receiver R1 to the input surface S2, and the direction connecting the two receivers R1 and R2 is the X axis and the horizontal direction. Are set to the Y axis and the Z axis in the vertical direction. Since the length of the perpendicular line from the receiver R1 to the second input surface S2 is H1, by the initial setting, the receiver R1, R2 in the three-dimensional coordinates X2-Y2-Z2 of the second input surface S2 The coordinate values are set to R1 (0,0, H1) and R2 (W, 0, H1). The range of the second input surface S2 is set to 0 <x2 <W, −D1cos θ−D2 <y2 <−D1cos θ.
[0069]
Therefore, the point P2 (x2, y2, 0) on the input surface S2 is
x2²+ Y2²+ H1²= La2²
(x2−W)² + Y2² + H1² = Lb2²
Solving the simultaneous equations for x2 and y2
x2 = (La2² − Lb2² + W²) / 2W (13)
y2 = − (La2²−x2²−H1²)^1/2                      (14)
Is required.
[0070]
Furthermore, the positions of R1 and R2 in the three-dimensional coordinate system X3-Y3-Z3 of the third input surface S3 are set as R1 (0,0, H1 + D3) and R2 (W, 0, H1 + D3). The Further, the range of the input surface S3 is set to a range other than the input surfaces S1 and S2. Then, the point P3 (x3, y3, 0) on the input surface S3 is also obtained as described below.
[0071]
x3 = (La3² − Lb3² + W²) / 2W (15)
y3 = − (La3²−x3²-(H1 + D3)²}^1/2               (16)
In this embodiment, the input surfaces S1, S2, and S3 are distinguished based on whether or not the coordinate values obtained in the respective coordinate systems are within the range of the input surface that is initially set. That is,
If 0 <x1 <W, −D1 <y1 <0, then input surface S1,
If 0 <x2 <W, −D1cosθ−D2 <y2 <−D1cosθ, input surface S2,
Otherwise, input surface S3
It is judged.
[0072]
The distance H1 varies depending on the angle θ of the display unit of the notebook computer. The angle θ of a notebook computer can usually be used at various angles. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the above-described initial setting when the angle θ is determined by opening the display unit of the notebook computer. Thereby, the angle θ and the distance H1 are calibrated.
[0073]
In addition, the sound velocity V changes with temperature, and at temperature T (° C)
V = 331.5 + 0.6 × T [m / s]
Therefore, when the temperature changes, the position of the detected input point shifts. Therefore, it is preferable to measure (calibrate) the sound velocity V simultaneously with the distance H1.
[0074]
In this embodiment, the distance H1 can be measured when the input pen 4 is held in the pen holder 46. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining such measurement. In FIG. 13, assuming that the position of the pen ultrasonic transmitter is at a distance of Dx, Dy from the lower left corner of the display unit with the input pen placed in the pen holder 46, the coordinate system X2-Y2 of the input surface S2 -Z2, the pen position Ph (x2, y2, 0) is (Dx, -Dy-D1cosθ, 0), and the positions of the receivers R1, R2 are R1 (0, 0, D1sinθ), R2 (w, 0, D1sinθ), so if we substitute in the simultaneous equations for the distances La2 and Lb2 between them,
(VT1)²= Dx²+ (Dy + D1cosθ)²+ (D1sinθ)²
(VT2)²= (Dx−W)²+ (Dy + D1cosθ)²+ (D1sinθ)²
So if you solve this for V and θ,
V = {(W²−2WDx) / (T2²−T1²)}^1/2
θ = arccos [[(VT1)²−Dx²−D1²−Dy²] / 2D1D2]
It becomes.
[0075]
That is, a pen holder synchronization signal is generated from a personal computer when it is in the pen holder, a signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic drive circuit via the holder contact electrode, and an ultrasonic pulse is transmitted. From the synchronization signal to the arrival of the ultrasonic pulse at the receiving units R1 and R2. By measuring the times T1 and T2, the relationship between the receivers R1 and R2 and the input surface S2 and the distance H1 = D1sinθ between the receivers R1 and R2 and the input surface S2 can be measured (calibrated or initially set).
[0076]
Calibration should be performed once when the display part of the notebook computer opens, but it is necessary to recalibrate when the angle changes during use or when the temperature changes greatly. In this case, even if the input pen is not inserted into the pen holder, the operator can specify the calibration to the personal computer when the operator wants to calibrate and input the specified position Ph of the pen holder with the input pen. Of course, at this time, the receiver is synchronized by infrared PD.
[0077]
Furthermore, if an ultrasonic transmitter is built in at a constant position Ph separately from the input pen, calibration can always be performed while coordinates are input using the input pen. However, at that time, infrared and ultrasonic signals are transmitted for a specified time (for example, 1 second) so that the ultrasonic wave from the input pen and the ultrasonic wave from the calibration transmitter do not interfere with each other. It is only necessary to confirm that it has not been calibrated.
[0078]
Further, an angle sensor may be incorporated in the hinge portion between the display portion and the keyboard portion of the notebook personal computer to directly measure the angle θ.
[0079]
Further, a specific position of the display unit, for example, the height H1 + D3 between the receiver position and the desk may be directly measured by a distance sensor. In this case, if an ultrasonic rangefinder that generates ultrasonic waves using the receiver R2 as a transmitter and receives ultrasonic waves reflected on the desk surface by the receiver is configured, a new sensor becomes unnecessary.
[0080]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another method for obtaining the distance H2. In this method, coordinates of two points on the input surface S3 that are separated by a known distance are input. Assuming that the points P3 (x3, y3,0) and P4 (x4, y4,0) on the input surface S3 are separated by a distance L34, the distances La3 and La4 from each point to the receiver R1 and the distance to the receiver R2 If Lb3 and Lb4 are measured during calibration,
x3²+ Y3²+ H2²= La3²
(x3−W)² + Y3²+ H2² = Lb3²
x4²+ Y4²+ H2² = La4²
(x4−W)² + Y4² + H2² = Lb4²
(x3−x4)² + (Y3−y4)² = L34²
The relationship holds.
[0081]
Since there are five equations for the unknowns x3, x4, y3, y4, and H2, the distance H2 between the third input surface S3 and the receiver R1 can be obtained by solving these equations. For example, the distance H2 can be calibrated by printing two points on the paper at a distance L34, placing the paper appropriately on the desk, and specifying the two points on the paper. If this paper is rotated or misaligned with respect to the 3D coordinate system, the distance H2 is transmitted by sending ultrasonic waves from the origin of the 2D coordinate axis printed on the paper and a known point on one coordinate axis. In addition, the relationship between the three-dimensional coordinates and the two-dimensional coordinates can be initialized.
[0082]
Further, in the above embodiment, the infrared light emitting element LED is attached to the input pen. However, the infrared light emitting element LED is provided in the receiving unit, the light receiving element PD is attached to the input pen, and the input pen receives the synchronization signal. If infrared rays are received, ultrasonic waves may be transmitted.
[0083]
In addition, two ultrasonic transmitters may be attached to the receiving unit, and one ultrasonic receiver may be attached to the input pen. In this case, transmission may be performed alternately so that the two ultrasonic transmissions do not mix. First, the distance L1 between the first transmitter and the input pen is measured, and then the second transmitter and the second transmitter are measured. What is necessary is just to measure distance L2 with an input pen. In this embodiment, synchronization is performed using infrared rays. However, synchronization may be performed using radio or a wired cable provided on the input pen.
[0084]
In the example of FIG. 11, the line connecting the receivers R1 and R2 is always parallel to the input surface. However, as described in FIGS. Can be requested.
[0085]
In the above embodiment, infrared light is used as a synchronization means, and one ultrasonic transmitter and two ultrasonic receivers, or two ultrasonic transmitters and one ultrasonic receiver, By using, it is possible to input coordinates from input devices on multiple input surfaces. The synchronization means can also be realized by radio or wire. Furthermore, it is possible to use ultrasonic waves as a synchronization means.
[0086]
In the following example, an ultrasonic transmitter is provided in the input device, two ultrasonic receivers are provided at predetermined positions, and an additional ultrasonic receiver is used as a synchronization means. And the input coordinate from a several input surface is detected by utilizing the ultrasonic reception time difference of the ultrasonic receiver for a synchronization, and two receivers. The relationship between the positions of the two ultrasonic receivers and the plurality of input surfaces is the same as in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in the following example, a total of three ultrasonic receivers are required. However, since the synchronization means using infrared rays becomes unnecessary, the total cost is lower than the conventional example.
[0087]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a coordinate input device using ultrasonic waves as a synchronization means. Similarly to FIG. 11, two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 are provided at both upper ends of the display unit of the notebook personal computer, and an ultrasonic receiver Rs for synchronization means is provided between them. Then, by utilizing the difference between the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the input pen 4 to the synchronization receiver Rs and the propagation time to the two receivers R1 and R2 at both ends, the input surfaces S1, S2, The position of the input pen in S3 is detected.
[0088]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an input device that is the input pen. The same reference numbers are given to the portions corresponding to FIG. In the example of FIG. 15, the input pen does not need to be provided with the infrared light emitting element LED as a synchronization means. Accordingly, the ultrasonic transmitter 17 is driven by the contact detection switch 19 and the holder contact electrode 22 in the input pen 4. When the contact detection switch 19 detects that the ball-point pen core 16 is pressed against the input surface, a trigger signal is generated from the timer 23 at a constant period, and the ultrasonic drive circuit 24 drives the ultrasonic transmitter 17. Also, when the holder contact electrode 22 receives a drive signal, the ultrasonic transmitter 17 is similarly driven.
[0089]
FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a receiving unit that processes the ultrasonic waves received by the two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 and the synchronizing ultrasonic receiver Rs. FIG. 18 is a timing chart of received ultrasonic waves. 17 receives an ultrasonic receiver Rs, an input amplifier 32s, a comparator 33s, a flip-flop 33s, a zero-cross comparator 35s, and an AND gate instead of the infrared light receiving element PD in the receiving unit shown in FIG. 36s is provided. These operations are the same as those of the circuits corresponding to the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2.
[0090]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, in the ultrasonic waves received by the receivers R1 and R2, the timing of the zero cross point after exceeding a predetermined threshold is detected, and detection signals Trg1 and Trg2 are generated. Similarly, the timing of the ultrasonic wave received by the receiver Rs is also detected, and a synchronization detection signal Trgs is generated. The timer 37a measures the difference T1 between the reception timing Trg1 of the first receiver R1 and the reception timing Trgs of the synchronization receiver Rs. The timer 37b measures the difference T2 between the reception timing Trg2 of the second receiver R2 and the reception timing Trgs of the synchronization receiver Rs. The input coordinates of the input pen are obtained by the coordinate input control unit 40 in accordance with the timing differences T1 and T2.
[0091]
FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the detection of the position of the input pen. First, the case of the input surface S1 in FIG. Since the locus of a point with a constant distance difference between the two points is a hyperbola, the intersection of the two hyperbola specified by the distance difference between the two points R1 and Rs and the distance difference between the two points R2 and Rs is input. Think of it as the position of the pen. Therefore, in the case of the input surface S1, the distance difference K1 between the receivers R1 and Rs and the distance difference K2 between the receivers R2 and Rs are:
K1 = L1−Ls = VT1
K2 = Ls−L3 = VT2
When the synchronization receiver Rs is the origin of the three-dimensional coordinate system, the input point P1 (x1, y1) is an expression of two hyperbolic curves
(x1 + W / 4)² (4K1²−W²) / 4K1² + y1² = (4K1²−W²) / 16
(x1−W / 4)² (4K2²−W²) / 4K2² + y1² = (4K2²−W²) / 16
Can be obtained by solving for x1, y1.
[0092]
Similarly, in the case of the input surfaces S2 and S3, the input points P2 (x2, Y2) and P3 (x3, y3) are obtained from two hyperbolic equations.
[0093]
Also in this embodiment, an input surface that is not orthogonal to the line connecting the two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 can be used. In this case, the initial setting and the calibration method of the height H1 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. The receivers R1, R2, and Rs are arranged on a straight line at equal intervals, and the straight line is always parallel to the input surface. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the receivers R1, R2 , Rs may not be on a straight line. Any receiver may be used for synchronization.
[0094]
FIG. 20 shows a modification of the coordinate input device attached to the notebook computer. In this example, two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 are arranged near the boundary between the display unit and the keyboard unit of the notebook personal computer 1. In this case, the display unit S1 and the desktop S2 can be used as the input surface. The two receivers R1 and R2 are on the same plane as the first input surface S1, which is a display unit, and the height from the two receivers R1 and R2 to the second input surface S2 on the desk is as follows. The thickness of the keyboard is almost the same even if the tilt of the display changes. Therefore, it is not necessary to calibrate the tilt even if the tilt of the display unit changes.
[0095]
However, in this example, the surface of the keyboard section cannot be used as an input surface because the distance from the receivers R1 and R2 cannot be distinguished from the display section. However, if the function to instruct the computer where the input surface is to be provided can be provided as an application program, the coordinate input generation unit can distinguish between the display unit and the keyboard unit. It is possible to use it for the surface.
[0096]
FIG. 21 is a modification of the coordinate input device attached to the notebook personal computer. In this example, two ultrasonic receivers R1, R2 and an infrared light receiving element PD are attached, and a receiving unit 30, an input coordinate generating unit 42, an input surface setting unit 41, an initial set value recording unit 43, and the like (see FIG. 8) is used. This receiving unit 46 is attached, for example, to the upper left of the display unit of the notebook personal computer 1, and the input coordinates from the three input surfaces S1, S2, S3 are detected by the above-described principle.
[0097]
FIG. 22 shows a modification of a coordinate input device used for a desktop personal computer. In this example, the receiving unit 46 is attached to the upper left position of the CRT display 47. Then, the display surface S1 and the surface S2 on the desk in front of the keyboard 48 are used as the input surface.
[0098]
FIG. 23 is an example of a coordinate input device used in a conference room. Two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 are provided at both upper ends of the blackboard S1 of the conference room, and an infrared receiver PD is provided at the center thereof. A plurality of desk surfaces S2 to S7 arranged on the floor surface SF are also used as input surfaces. The blackboard S1 may be a computer screen or a display screen of a projector.
[0099]
In this case, since the desk surfaces S2 to S7 are arranged on the same plane, the areas of the respective desk surfaces S2 to S7 in the plane shifted from the floor surface SF by the height of the desk need to be registered in advance. . As a result, the two-dimensional coordinates on the respective desk surfaces are recorded as input coordinates in a computer (not shown).
[0100]
[Configuration example of input pen]
As described with reference to FIG. 21, the present invention attaches the receiving unit 46 to the display screen of a notebook personal computer and performs initial settings of the display screen S1 and the writing surface S3, so that the input pen is displayed on the display screen S1 or the writing surface S3. By pressing on each surface above, you can enter coordinates on a personal computer. In that case, a liquid crystal display panel is often used as the display screen of the notebook computer 1.
[0101]
Since the surface of a normal LCD panel has a thin glass plate, touching the panel surface with a normal input pen may damage the surface glass plate, and the input pen may damage the glass plate on the panel surface. It is necessary not to do so. Although it is conceivable to increase the thickness of the glass plate in order to protect the panel surface, a display panel having a special structure is not preferable. On the other hand, for a writing surface such as paper, an input pen having a core having a writing function such as a ballpoint pen core is suitable so that a handwriting remains on the writing surface. Therefore, the input pen needs to be configured differently between the liquid crystal display panel surface S1 and the writing surface S3.
[0102]
In consideration of the above points, the input pen according to the present embodiment uses a pen that can be written on, such as a ballpoint pen, for a writing surface such as paper, and the stroke of the contact detection switch (the core until the pen tip is pushed in and stopped) (Moving amount of) is relatively small, and writing on the writing surface is facilitated. On the other hand, the input pen has a soft pen tip for liquid crystal display panels so as not to damage the panel surface, and the stroke of the touch detection switch is lengthened so that the pressing pressure when touching the panel surface is relatively weak. It has a configuration. That is, if the pen tip of the input pen is harder than the surface of the liquid crystal display panel, the pen tip damages the panel surface at the time of input, so the pen tip is softened. In addition, if the pressure of the pen tip against the panel surface is strong, a large force is applied to the glass plate on the panel surface, and the glass plate may be broken or cracked. If the stroke of the pen tip for turning on the contact detection switch is short, even if the pressure of the pen tip is weak, a large pressure is applied to the panel surface after the pen tip has moved by the stroke. Is desired to be relatively long.
[0103]
FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of the input pen in the present embodiment. 24A is a configuration diagram of the entire input pen, FIG. 24B is a configuration diagram of a pen tip for a writing surface, and FIG. 24C is a configuration diagram of a pen tip for a display panel surface. The input pen 4 shown in FIG. 24 is provided with a ballpoint pen core 16 for writing surface at one tip, and a touch core 50 for the surface of the display panel at the other tip. As shown in FIG. 24A, the main body 4a of the input pen 4 is provided with a drive circuit 20, a drive battery 21, and an infrared LED 18. The ballpoint pen core 16 and the first ultrasonic transmitter 17a are provided at one end, and the touch core 50 and the second ultrasonic transmitter 17b are provided at the other end, respectively. Each of the ultrasonic transmitters 17 is made of a cylindrical piezoelectric film made of polyvinylidene fluoride and has a directivity of 360 °. The infrared LED 18 has, for example, three LEDs with a directivity of 120 ° arranged every 120 ° to realize a directivity of 360 °. By providing the directivity of 360 °, infrared rays and ultrasonic waves can reliably reach the receiving unit even when the input pen rotates.
[0104]
As shown in FIG. 24 (B), the pen tip for the writing surface has a lead holder 54 for storing the ballpoint pen lead 16 housed in the main body 4a of the input pen and pressed downward by the first spring 52a. And is stopped upward at the portion of the first contact detection switch 19a. The ballpoint pen itself is stored in the lead holder 54 so as to be detachable because writing requires writing to replace the ink. The distance between the upper end of the lead holder 54 and the pen body 4a is designed to ensure a relatively short first stroke 56a. Therefore, when the ballpoint pen lead 16 of the input pen 4 is pressed against the writing surface, the protrusion on the side surface of the lead holder 54 and the contact detection switch 19a are separated, and the contact of the ballpoint pen lead 16 with the writing surface can be detected. When the pen tip is pressed against the writing surface, the first spring 52a is contracted, and a pressing pressure is generated. When the lead holder 54 moves by the first stroke 56a, the upper end of the lead holder 54 reaches the pen body 4a, and the pressing pressure of the input pen user is transmitted to the pen tip as it is.
[0105]
The first stroke 56a is preferably 0.5 mm or less so that the writing comfort of the user is not deteriorated. For example, by setting the stroke to about 0.2 mm, the user can write with a normal ballpoint pen feeling almost without any stroke. The pressing pressure of the first spring 52a is set to a very small value of about 1 gf.
[0106]
As shown in FIG. 24C, a tip protecting portion 51 made of a soft material is provided at the tip of the touch core 50 in order to prevent damage to the surface of the display panel. The shape of the touch core 50 is similar to that of the ballpoint pen core holder 54, and the side protrusion is stopped upward by the second contact detection switch 19b, and pressure is applied downward by the second spring 52b. Yes. The distance between the upper end of the touch core 50 and the pen body 4a is designed to have a relatively long second stroke 56b.
[0107]
The second stroke 56b is preferably set to be relatively long, for example, 2 mm or more so that the input pen user can sense that the tip of the touch core 50 contacts the panel surface and is pulled inward. For example, about 3 mm is more preferable. The second spring 52b preferably has a pressing pressure of, for example, 10 gf or less, and more preferably has a pressing pressure of 3 gf so as not to damage the display panel surface. The second stroke 56b is relatively long and the pressure of the second spring 52b is small enough not to damage the panel surface, but large enough to allow the user to sense contact, so that the touch core 50 touches the panel surface. Thus, the user can sense the touch of the touch core while retreating to the pen body 4a side by a distance equal to or less than the second stroke 56b.
[0108]
When the pen tip of the input pen comes into contact with the writing surface or the panel surface and the contact detection switch 19 detects it, infrared rays are transmitted from the infrared LED 18 at a constant cycle by a timer as described above, and further from the ultrasonic transmitter 17. Ultrasound is sent out. Subsequent detection of input pen coordinates by the receiving unit is as described above.
[0109]
If there is a certain distance between the pen tip of the input pen and the ultrasonic transmitter, if the input pen is tilted and coordinates are input to the writing surface or display panel surface, an error occurs in the input position. That is, since the input coordinates are obtained from the distance from the ultrasonic transmitter to the receiving unit, if the distance between the ultrasonic transmitter and the pen tip increases, an error occurs in the input coordinates.
[0110]
In that case, since the ultrasonic transmitters 17a and 17b are provided above and below the pen body 4a in the input pen of FIG. 24, the above error can be eliminated by using two ultrasonic transmitters.
[0111]
As shown in FIG. 25, a plane including the pen 4 and the receiver R is considered. With respect to the pen tip P, the first ultrasonic transmitter Ta is at a distance a from the pen tip P, and the second ultrasonic transmitter Tb is at a distance b from the first ultrasonic transmitter Ta. And At this time, the distance from the first ultrasonic transmitter Ta to the receiver R is La, and the distance from the second ultrasonic transmitter Tb to the receiver R is Lb. And considering the triangle RPTb and the triangle RTTaTb,
L² = Lb²+ (A + b)²−2 (a + b) Lb cosθ
La²= Lb²+ B²−2 b Lb cosθ
It becomes. Therefore, the distance L from the nib P to the receiver R is
L = {a²+ Ab + La² (a + b) / b−Lb² a / b}^1/2
It becomes.
[0112]
If both the distance from the tip of the ballpoint pen lead to the first ultrasonic transmitter and the distance from the tip of the touch lead pen to the second ultrasonic transmitter are set to a, the above formula can be used. Thus, the distance between the pen tip P and the receiver R can be accurately obtained.
[0113]
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an infrared synchronization signal and an ultrasonic wave received by the receiving unit R. When the ballpoint pen core of FIG. 24 is used, when the first contact detection switch 19a detects contact, after the infrared transmission, a pulse is transmitted from the first ultrasonic transmitter 17a, and further after the delay time Tp. , A pulse is transmitted from the second ultrasonic transmitter 17b. In the receiver, after receiving the infrared synchronization signal IR, the arrival times T1 and T2 of the ultrasonic waves SA1 and SA2 from the first ultrasonic transmitter are detected, and then the ultrasonic waves from the second ultrasonic transmitter are detected. The arrival times T3 and T4 of SA1 and SA2 are detected. By subtracting the delay time Tp from the arrival times T3 and T4, the actual pulse arrival time from the second ultrasonic transmitter can be obtained. After that, the distance L from the nib P to the receiver R can be obtained by the above formula. When the nib core continues to contact the input surface, the first and second ultrasonic transmitters alternately transmit ultrasonic pulses.
[0114]
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the input pen. In this example, as shown in FIG. 28 (A), an input core 16 and an ultrasonic transmitter 17 are provided only at one end of the input pen 4, and as shown in FIGS. 27 (B) and (D), The ballpoint pen core 16 for the writing surface and the touch core 50 for the display panel surface are attached to the pen body 4a in a replaceable manner. FIG. 28C shows a touch core holder 58 that houses the touch core 50. In this example, only one ultrasonic transmitter need be provided.
[0115]
The configuration shown in FIG. 28 (B) is the same as that shown in FIG. 24 (B), and the ball-point pen core 16 is detachably accommodated in the core holder 54. When the ink of the ballpoint pen is consumed, the ballpoint pen core 16 needs to be replaced. The lead holder 54 is housed in the pen body 4a, is pressed downward by the first spring 52a, and is stopped upward by the contact detection switch 19 by a protrusion on the side surface. The lead holder 54 is movable up and down by the first stroke 56a. The distance of the first stroke and the pressure of the first spring are the same as in the case of FIG.
[0116]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 27C, the touch core 50 is accommodated in the touch core holder 58, and the touch core holder 58 is detachable from the core holder 54 as shown in FIG. Stored. The touch core 50 housed in the touch core holder 58 is pressed downward by the second spring 52b and is stopped upward by the protrusion on the side surface. The touch core rod 60 has a sufficient length, and a relatively long second stroke 56b is secured. A tip protector 51 is attached to the tip of the touch core 50. When the touch core holder 58 is accommodated in the core holder 54, as shown in FIG. 27D, a smaller pressure is applied to the display panel surface to the second spring 52b, and the second stroke 56b and the first stroke The tip of the touch core retracts into the pen body within the total stroke range of the stroke 56a. Since the stroke range is sufficiently long, the pen user can sense the touch of the input pen on the display panel surface while the tip of the touch core is moving.
[0117]
Also in the input pen of FIG. 27, an ultrasonic transmitter can be provided at the upper end of the pen body. By doing so, the error due to the long distance between the ultrasonic transmitter 17 and the pen tip can be eliminated as described with reference to FIGS.
[0118]
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the input pen. FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a writing surface ballpoint pen core 16 is stored, and FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a display panel surface touch core 50 is stored. In this example, the ballpoint pen lead 16 and the touch lead 50 are detachably accommodated in the same lead holder 54, and when the ballpoint pen lead 16 is attached, the first stroke 56a is relatively short, and when the touch lead 50 is attached. Becomes a relatively long second stroke 56b. For this purpose, a stopper 60 having an elastic force in the center direction is provided at the center of the lead holder 54, the upper end 16p of the ballpoint pen lead 16 is thick, and the stopper 60 is pushed outward so that it stops at the step of the pen body 4a. Thus, the upper end 50p of the touch core 50 is thin and the stopper 60 is recessed inward, so that the upper end of the core holder 54 stops at the upper end of the hole of the pen body 4a. As a result, the first stroke 56a is short and the second stroke 56b is long. In this example, when a ballpoint pen lead and a touch lead are attached, the stroke automatically corresponds. Further, since the pressing pressure when the touch core is mounted is determined by the spring 52a, the spring 52a is set to an elastic force that allows the user to sense contact without causing damage to the display panel surface.
[0119]
In the input pen of FIG. 28, the stroke length can be changed by a manual switch provided in the pen body 4a.
[0120]
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing still another configuration example of the input pen. In this example, coordinates are input on the display panel surface by attaching a touch core to the ballpoint pen core. As shown in FIG. 29A, the ball-point pen core 16 is stored in the core holder 54, and the core holder 54 is further stored in the slide portion 62 stored in the pen body 4a. The slide portion 62 has a stopper 64 and has a function of forming a first stroke 56a between the upper end of the lead holder 54 when the ballpoint pen lead 16 is used and a touch lead when the touch lead is attached. It has a slide function of retracting to the pen body 4a so that the tip is not too far from the ultrasonic transmitter 17.
[0121]
FIG. 29A shows a writing surface input pen. When the slide switch 66 of the slide portion 62 is slid downward, the stopper 64 is pushed inward by the side protrusion 65 of the pen body 4a. A first stroke 56 a is formed between 64 and the upper end of the lead holder 54. In this example, the contact detection switch 19 is provided on the slide portion 62.
[0122]
FIG. 29B shows a touch core holder 58 that holds the touch core 50. This touch core holder 58 is mounted in the groove 68 at the tip of the slide portion 62. Then, as shown in FIG. 29C, the slide switch 66 of the slide portion 62 is manually slid upward, and accordingly, the stopper 64 is detached from the claw 65 and spreads outward by the elastic force, and the second stroke 56b. Is determined by the length of the rod of the touch core 50. As the slide part 62 slides upward, the ultrasonic transmitter 17 at the tip of the pen body is positioned close to the tip of the touch core 50. FIG. 29D shows a state in which the touch core 50 is in contact with the display panel surface and retracted inward. Since the stopper 64 is open to the outside, the upper end of the lead holder 54 has moved to a position higher than the stopper 64.
[0123]
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the input pen. This example has a configuration in which a ballpoint pen core for writing surface and a touch core for display panel surface are switched by pressing slides 72a and 72b like a knock type multicolor ballpoint pen. A pen holder 54a containing the ballpoint pen lead 16 and a lead holder 52b containing the touch lead 50 are stored side by side in the pen body 4a. Strictly speaking, the ball-point pen core 16 is detachably accommodated in the inner core holder 54c, the inner core holder 54c is pushed downward in the outer core holder 54a by the spring 52a, and is stopped upward by the contact detection switch 19a. . A first stroke 56a is formed by the shape of the upper end portion of the inner core holder 54c. Similarly, the touch core 50 is also housed in the core holder 54b, pressed downward by the spring 52b, and stopped upward by the contact detection switch 19b. A relatively long second stroke 56b is formed by the shape of the upper end portion of the touch core 50. The elastic force of the spring on the ballpoint pen core side and the touch core side is the same as in the above example.
[0124]
The core holders 54a and 54b are pushed upward by springs 68a and 68b, respectively, and are provided with latches 70a and 70b having notches, notches 71a and 71b, and slides 72a and 72b. Then, by pushing down the slide 72b from the state of FIG. 30A, the notch 71b on the touch core side is pushed down and the notch 71a on the ballpoint pen core side is pushed outward. The latch 70a is released from the lower end of the fixing portion 74, It is returned to the upper side by the spring 68a. On the other hand, the latch 70b on the touch core side is stopped at the lower end of the fixing portion 74, so that the tip of the touch core 50 protrudes from the tip of the pen. This is the state of FIG. In this state, by sliding the slide 72a downward, the state shown in FIG.
[0125]
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the input pen. In this example, the ball-point pen core 16 and the hollow touch core 50 have a coaxial structure. Thereby, it can be made thinner than the pen main body of FIG. Further, the ball-point pen core 16 and the touch core 50 are configured to be automatically taken in and out depending on the inclination of the input pen. When inputting coordinates from the writing surface on the desk, the pen body is in the vertical direction, and when inputting coordinates from the display panel surface of the notebook PC, the pen body is in the horizontal direction. The inclination is detected, and the ballpoint pen core and the touch core are put in and out.
[0126]
The ballpoint pen lead 16 is detachably accommodated in a ballpoint pen lead inner lead holder 54c, and the inner lead holder 54c is further accommodated in the outer lead holder 54a. The inner core holder 54c is pushed downward by the spring 52a, and is stopped upward by the contact detection switch 19a. A first stroke 56a is formed. The touch core 50 is housed in the pen body 4a, pressed down by a spring 52b, and stopped upward by a contact detection switch 19b.
[0127]
As shown in FIG. 31 (A), when the pen body is in the vertical direction, the lower end of the stopper 78 moves inwardly about the fulcrum 80 by the weight 76 that moves downward, and the upper end of the outer lead holder 54a. To stop. Thereby, the first stroke 56a is formed. As shown in FIG. 31 (B), when the pen body is in the horizontal direction, the weight 76 is not lowered by the upper elastic force of the spring 52d, the lower end of the stopper 78 is pushed outward, and the outer core holder is expanded. 54c moves upward by the upper elastic force of the spring 52c. As a result, the hollow touch core 50 protrudes from the lower end of the pen. In this state, a relatively long second stroke 56b is formed. FIG. 31C shows a state in which the touch core 50 is in contact with the display panel surface and pulled inward.
[0128]
In the above example, the inclination of the pen is detected by the weight 76 and the spring 52d. However, the ballpoint pen core and the touch core may be automatically taken in and out using an inclination sensor such as an acceleration sensor. Alternatively, the ballpoint pen core and the touch core may be manually inserted and removed. Even in that case, since the ballpoint pen core and the touch core have a coaxial structure, the pen body can be made thin.
[0129]
In FIG. 21, the receiving unit 46 is attached to the outer periphery of the display panel of the notebook PC. In this case, when coordinates are input from the writing sheet surface S3, if the position of the writing sheet is shifted during the input, the relative position with respect to the receiving unit 46 changes, and it is necessary to perform initial setting again.
[0130]
Therefore, if the receiving unit 46 can be fixedly attached to the display panel of the notebook type PC or fixedly attached to the writing paper, the initial setting associated with the positional deviation of the writing paper becomes unnecessary. Become.
[0131]
FIG. 32 is a three-way diagram illustrating a receiving unit that can be freely fixed to a plurality of input surfaces. 32A is a plan view, FIG. 32C is a front view, and FIG. 32B is a side view. This receiving unit is provided with an abutting edge 84 formed of a recess for abutting the display panel and writing paper on the main body 82, and further provided with a clip 86 and a spring 87 for sandwiching the display panel and writing paper. A display panel or writing paper is sandwiched between the leading ends 88 of the clips 86. Ultrasonic wave receivers R1 and R2 are provided at both ends of the main body 82, and an infrared light receiving element PD is provided at the center position therebetween.
[0132]
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of the reception unit of FIG. The receiving unit 46 is attached to the upper left corner of the display panel 90 of the notebook computer using a clip. The corners of the display panel 90 are aligned with the protruding edge 84, and alignment is easily performed. This enables pen input on the display surface S1 and the writing surface S3. Further, by attaching the receiving unit 46 to the upper left corner of the writing paper 92, even if the writing paper 92 is displaced, the receiving unit 46 is fixed, so there is no need to perform calibration again. When the user of the input pen is left-handed, the receiving unit 46 is preferably attached to the upper right corner of the display panel and the upper right corner of the writing paper. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic pulse and infrared rays from being blocked by the hand holding the input pen.
[0133]
FIG. 34 is a configuration diagram of another receiving unit. 34A is a plan view and FIG. 34B is a side view. The feature of this receiving unit is that the main body 82 provided with the ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 and the infrared light receiving element PD has a substantially triangular shape, and the main body 82 is rotatable around the rotation axis 90 so as to be freely rotatable. Is attached. The clip body 86a has a substantially square shape, and a corner portion thereof is partially thinned so that the abutting edge 84 is formed in a straight line with respect to the clip body 86a. By making the abutting edge 84 linear, the receiving unit can be attached to the side surface of the display panel or the side surface of the writing paper.
[0134]
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a state in which the receiving unit is attached to the liquid crystal display panel. By attaching to the upper left part (position A) or upper left part (position B) of the display panel, it is possible to receive infrared rays and ultrasonic waves from an input pen held by a right-handed user. However, between the position A and the position B, the position of the receiving unit body 82 with respect to the clip body differs by 90 °. Similarly, by attaching to the upper right part (position C) or upper left part (position D) of the display panel, it is possible to receive infrared rays and ultrasonic waves from an input pen held by a left-handed user. However, also in this case, the position of the receiving unit body 82 with respect to the clip body differs by 90 ° between the position C and the position D. In any case, in order to increase the accuracy of the input coordinates, it is desirable to adjust the rotation direction so that the line connecting the two ultrasonic receivers is approximately 45 ° with respect to the input surface.
[0135]
FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a state in which the receiving unit is attached to the writing paper. 36 (A) and 36 (B) are examples in which the receiving unit 46 is attached to the upper left side and the upper left side of the horizontally long paper surface 92, respectively. In either case, the receiving unit main body is appropriately rotated with respect to the clip main body, and the two ultrasonic receiver surfaces are set so as to face in the horizontal direction. 36 (C) and 36 (D) are examples in which the receiving units are respectively attached to the vertically long paper surface 93. Also in this case, the surface of the ultrasonic receiver is directed in the vertically long direction by appropriately rotating the receiving unit body. To be adjusted.
[0136]
The input pen has an ultrasonic transmitter, and an ultrasonic receiver is provided on the receiving unit side. However, even if an ultrasonic receiver is provided on the input pen side and two ultrasonic transmitters are provided in the unit attached to the input surface, coordinate input can be performed in the same manner.
[0137]
The above embodiment is summarized as follows.
[0138]
(Supplementary note 1) In a coordinate input device that enables coordinate input from a plurality of input surfaces,
An input device having an ultrasonic transmitter;
Two ultrasonic receivers arranged side by side in a direction not orthogonal to the plurality of input surfaces and receiving ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter;
Synchronization means for synchronizing between the input device and the ultrasonic receiver;
An input surface setting unit for setting a positional relationship between the two ultrasonic receivers and the plurality of input surfaces;
According to the propagation time of the ultrasonic signals received by the two ultrasonic receivers from the input device, respective distances from the input device to the two ultrasonic receivers are generated, and the two distances are generated. And an input coordinate generation unit that generates input coordinates in the plurality of input planes set according to the above.
[0139]
(Appendix 2) In Appendix 1,
The input surface setting unit takes two-dimensional coordinates (X, Y) on the input surface and takes the third coordinate axis (Z) in a direction orthogonal to the input surface, in the two-dimensional coordinate system. The coordinate values of the ultrasonic receivers are set for each of the plurality of input surfaces, and the input coordinate generation unit calculates the coordinate values of the input device in the three-dimensional coordinate system according to the two distances. A coordinate input device characterized by generating.
[0140]
(Appendix 3) In Appendix 2,
The input surface setting unit generates coordinate values of the two ultrasonic receivers in response to ultrasonic transmission from the input device at three points having known two-dimensional coordinates on the input surface. Coordinate input device characterized by
[0141]
(Appendix 4) In Appendix 2,
The input surface setting unit sets a relationship between the two-dimensional coordinate system in the input surface and the two-dimensional coordinate system in the display screen;
The input coordinate generation unit generates a second coordinate value in a two-dimensional coordinate system in the display screen from the first coordinate value according to the relationship, and outputs the second coordinate value as an input coordinate. Coordinate input device characterized by
[0142]
(Appendix 5) In Appendix 4,
The input surface setting unit responds to ultrasonic transmission from the input device at three points in the input surface corresponding to predetermined three points in the display screen, and two-dimensional coordinates of the input surface and the display screen A coordinate input device characterized by generating a system relationship.
[0143]
(Appendix 6) In Appendix 1,
The plurality of input surfaces to be set are limited to positions at different distances from the ultrasonic receiver,
The input coordinate generation unit identifies an input surface to be input by the input device according to a distance from the input device at a position on the input surface to the ultrasonic receiver, and determines input coordinates of the input device. A coordinate input device characterized by generating.
[0144]
(Appendix 7) In Appendix 1,
The synchronization means receives an ultrasonic signal transmitted from the input device, and has a synchronization ultrasonic receiver installed at a known position in the three-dimensional coordinates;
The input coordinate generation unit includes a first difference in a time during which an ultrasonic signal transmitted from the input device propagates to one of the two ultrasonic receivers and the synchronous ultrasonic receiver. , The third order of the input device according to a second difference in time that the transmitted ultrasonic signal propagates to one of the two ultrasonic receivers and the synchronizing ultrasonic receiver. A coordinate input device that generates a position in original coordinates.
[0145]
(Appendix 8) In any one of Appendices 1 to 7,
The two ultrasonic receivers can be installed in the plane of a computer display screen;
The plurality of input surfaces include at least the display screen and a first surface on which the display screen is placed.
[0146]
(Supplementary Note 9) In a coordinate input device that enables coordinate input from a plurality of input surfaces,
An input device having an ultrasonic receiver;
Two ultrasonic transmitters arranged side by side in a direction not orthogonal to the plurality of input surfaces and transmitting ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic receiver;
Synchronization means for synchronizing between the input device and the ultrasonic transmitter;
An input surface setting unit for setting a positional relationship between the two ultrasonic transmitters and the plurality of input surfaces;
A distance from the input device to the two ultrasonic transmitters is generated according to a propagation time of the ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic receiver from the input device, and the setting is performed according to the two distances. An input coordinate generation unit that generates input coordinates in a plurality of input planes.
[0147]
(Appendix 10) In Appendix 9,
The input surface setting unit takes two-dimensional coordinates (X, Y) on the input surface and takes the third coordinate axis (Z) in a direction perpendicular to the input surface, in the three-dimensional coordinate system. The coordinate values of the ultrasonic transmitters are set for each of the plurality of input surfaces, and the input coordinate generation unit calculates the coordinate values of the input device in the three-dimensional coordinate system according to the two distances. A coordinate input device characterized by generating.
[0148]
(Appendix 11) In Appendix 1 or 9,
The input device is:
A pen-shaped body,
A first input core provided at the tip of the main body with a first drawing stroke and having writing means capable of writing on the input surface;
The front end or the other end of the main body is provided with a second retraction stroke longer than the first retraction stroke, and when the main body is retracted, the input surface is depressed lower than the first input core. A coordinate input device comprising: a second input core that makes contact with pressure.
[0149]
(Appendix 12) In Appendix 1,
A coordinate input device, wherein the receiving unit having the two ultrasonic receivers is provided with a clip for sandwiching the input surface material, and the receiving unit is fixed to one end of the input surface material.
[0150]
(Appendix 13) In Appendix 9,
A coordinate input device, wherein a clip for sandwiching an input surface material is provided on a transmission unit having the two ultrasonic transmitters, and the receiving unit is fixed to one end of the input surface material.
[0151]
(Supplementary note 14) In a coordinate input device for inputting input coordinates from a plurality of types of input surfaces including at least a display panel surface and a writing surface by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves,
A pen-type input device;
A receiving unit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the input device,
The input device is:
A pen-shaped body,
A first input core provided at the tip of the main body with a first drawing stroke and having writing means capable of writing on the input surface;
The front end or the other end of the main body is provided with a second pull-in stroke longer than the first pull-in stroke, and when the main body is pulled in, the pressing force is weaker than the first input core with respect to the input surface. And a second input core in contact with the coordinate input device.
[0152]
(Appendix 15) In Appendix 14,
An ultrasonic transmitter is provided at each of the front end and the other end of the main body, and the two ultrasonic transmitters alternately transmit ultrasonic waves when the first or second core contacts the input surface. Characteristic coordinate input device.
[0153]
(Appendix 16) In Appendix 14,
The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the first input core and the second input core are replaceably attached to the tip of the main body.
[0154]
(Appendix 17) In Appendix 14,
The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the first input core is attached to a distal end portion of the main body, and the second input core is detachably attached to a distal end position of the first input core.
[0155]
(Appendix 18) In Appendix 14,
The first input core and the second input core are provided in parallel in the main body, and one input core protrudes from the tip of the main body, and the other input core is drawn from the first input core. A coordinate input device.
[0156]
(Appendix 19) In Appendix 14,
The first input core and the second input core are coaxially provided inside the main body, and one input core protrudes from the distal end portion of the main body, and the other input core is drawn from the first input core. A coordinate input device.
[0157]
(Appendix 20) In Appendix 19,
One of the input cores protrudes according to the inclination of the main body.
[0158]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a coordinate input device that enables coordinate input from a plurality of input surfaces can be constituted by the synchronizing means and the two ultrasonic receivers, thereby enabling cost reduction.
[0159]
As described above, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but extends to the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between two ultrasonic receivers and a plurality of input surfaces in the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an input surface setting method.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between two ultrasonic receivers and a plurality of input surfaces in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an input device.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a ballpoint pen lead-in / out mechanism of a pen-type input device.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic receiving unit.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart in the ultrasonic receiving unit.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a coordinate input control unit.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of initial setting of an input surface.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of input surface setting data.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the notebook computer 1 and an input surface.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating detection of the position of the input device on the input surface.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method for obtaining a distance H1.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another method for obtaining the distance H2.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a coordinate input device using ultrasonic waves as a synchronization means.
16 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input device that is the input pen of FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a receiving unit that processes ultrasonic waves received by two ultrasonic receivers R1 and R2 and an ultrasonic receiver for synchronization Rs.
18 is a timing chart of the ultrasonic waves received in FIG.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating detection of the position of the input pen in FIG.
FIG. 20 is a modification of the coordinate input device attached to the notebook computer.
FIG. 21 is a modification of the coordinate input device attached to the notebook computer.
FIG. 22 is a modification of a coordinate input device used for a desktop personal computer.
FIG. 23 is an example of a coordinate input device used in a conference room.
FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of an input pen in the present embodiment.
25 is a diagram showing a plane including a pen 4 and a receiver R. FIG.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an infrared synchronization signal and an ultrasonic wave received by the receiving unit R.
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the input pen.
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the input pen.
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing still another configuration example of the input pen.
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing still another configuration example of the input pen.
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing still another configuration example of the input pen.
FIG. 32 is a three-way diagram illustrating a receiving unit that can be freely fixed to a plurality of input surfaces.
33 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of the reception unit of FIG. 32. FIG.
FIG. 34 is a configuration diagram of another receiving unit.
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a state where a receiving unit is attached to a liquid crystal display panel.
FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a state in which a receiving unit is attached to writing paper.
[Explanation of symbols]
S1, S2, S3 input surface
R1, R2 ultrasonic receiver
Ultrasound receiver for Rs synchronization
PD Infrared detector
4 Input device, input pen
17 Ultrasonic transmitter, ultrasonic transmitter
18 Infrared light emitting element, LED
30 Receiver
40 Coordinate input controller
41 Input surface setting section
42 Input coordinate generator

Claims (6)

In a coordinate input device that allows coordinate input from multiple input surfaces,
An input device having an ultrasonic transmitter;
Only two ultrasonic receivers arranged side by side in a direction not orthogonal to the plurality of input surfaces and receiving ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter;
Synchronization means for synchronizing between the input device and the ultrasonic receiver;
An input surface setting unit for setting a positional relationship between the two ultrasonic receivers and the plurality of input surfaces;
According to the propagation time of the ultrasonic signals received by the two ultrasonic receivers from the input device, respective distances from the input device to the two ultrasonic receivers are generated, and the two distances are generated. And an input coordinate generation unit that generates input coordinates in the plurality of input planes set according to the above. In claim 1,
The input surface setting unit takes two-dimensional coordinates (X, Y) on the input surface and takes the third coordinate axis (Z) in a direction perpendicular to the input surface, in the three-dimensional coordinate system. The coordinate values of the ultrasonic receivers are set for each of the plurality of input surfaces;
The input coordinate generation unit generates a coordinate value of the input device in the three-dimensional coordinate system according to the two distances. In claim 2,
The input surface setting unit generates coordinate values of the two ultrasonic receivers in response to ultrasonic transmission from the input device at three points having known two-dimensional coordinates on the input surface. Coordinate input device characterized by In claim 2,
The input surface setting unit sets a relationship between the two-dimensional coordinate system in the input surface and the two-dimensional coordinate system in the display screen;
The input coordinate generation unit generates a second coordinate value in the two-dimensional coordinate system in the display screen from the first coordinate value according to the relationship, and outputs the second coordinate value as an input coordinate. Characteristic coordinate input device. In claim 1,
The plurality of input surfaces to be set are limited to positions at different distances from the ultrasonic receiver,
The input coordinate generation unit identifies an input surface to be input by the input device according to a distance from the input device at a position on the input surface to the ultrasonic receiver, and determines input coordinates of the input device. A coordinate input device characterized by generating. In claim 1,
The input device is:
A pen-type main body, and a first input core provided with a first drawing stroke at the tip of the main body and having writing means capable of writing on the input surface;
The front end or the other end of the main body is provided with a second retraction stroke longer than the first retraction stroke, and when the main body is retracted, the input surface is depressed lower than the first input core. A coordinate input device comprising: a second input core that makes contact with pressure.

Images